Introduction

MyAnimeList (MAL) has long been one of the most influential anime ranking sites, with its user ratings carrying significant weight in determining the popularity and perception of shows. For over a decade, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has dominated the #1 spot as the highest rated anime on MAL. FMAB’s compelling story, multifaceted characters, and epic scale have earned it a passionate fandom and widespread critical acclaim.

However, in a historic turn of events, the new fantasy anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has surpassed FMAB to claim the coveted #1 ranking. This has sparked lively discussion in the anime community, as FMAB’s reign at the top spot has been so enduring. In this article, we’ll explore how the slower-paced yet emotionally resonant Frieren managed to dethrone one of the most beloved anime of all time on MAL.

What is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End?

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a fantasy anime that aired in 2021 based on the manga series by Kanehito Yamada. It follows the adventures of an elven mage named Frieren and her companions as they travel across the land after defeating the demon king. Despite being over 900 years old, Frieren has a young appearance and is unconcerned with the passage of time.

The anime has been praised for its thoughtful exploration of themes like mortality, grief, and the impermanence of life. Frieren watches her human companions age and die as she remains eternally youthful, grappling with loss and memory. Her reserved personality hides deeper emotions underneath. Reviewers have complimented the series for combining high fantasy adventure with poignant drama (Draggle, 2024).

Frieren serves as an intriguing protagonist – she is immortal yet deals with very human struggles. Her wise but stoic demeanor makes for interesting interactions with more hot-blooded characters. The anime has managed to craft an emotional story from a relatively simple premise, leading to its growing popularity.

Frieren’s Rise in Popularity

By the end of its run in Spring 2022, Frieren had reached an exceptionally high overall rating of 9.28 on MyAnimeList, putting it in rare company among the highest rated anime of all time on the platform. This steadily building popularity allowed it to overtake the long-standing #1 show, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. According to discussion posts on the MyAnimeList forums (https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=2142029), Frieren’s ability to maintain such a stellar rating as more users reviewed it proved it was no mere flash-in-the-pan. The show’s poignant themes about mortality, grief and friendship clearly resonated strongly with viewers.

How Frieren Surpassed the Long-Standing #1 FMAB

Frieren steadily gained popularity and high ratings from viewers throughout its initial run in 2021. As more anime fans discovered the show and rated it on MyAnimeList, Frieren’s overall score kept increasing. By the end of its first season, Frieren had an exceptionally high 9.26 average rating on MAL.

This put it above Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s long-standing 9.24 average rating for the first time in MAL history. FMAB had held the #1 spot for over a decade, so Frieren surpassing it demonstrated just how highly rated the new anime was by viewers.

Frieren’s second season in 2022 only accelerated this trend, as it maintained the high level of quality and emotional resonance from season one. More glowing reviews praising the anime’s thoughtful themes led to an even higher 9.28 rating average for Frieren by the end of its run.

This narrow but clear margin above FMAB’s average allowed Frieren to claim the new #1 anime spot on MyAnimeList, an exceptionally rare feat. It represents how Frieren managed to surpass FMAB primarily through exceptionally high scores from passionate viewers.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Frieren/comments/18zua5v/do_you_think_frieren_deserves_to_be_the_highest/

Comparing Frieren and Fullmetal Alchemist

Both Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are fantasy anime that have received widespread acclaim for their emotional depth and engaging stories. Though they exist in different worlds with different characters, they share some key thematic similarities.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, based on the manga by Hiromu Arakawa, follows the Elric brothers on a quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone and restore their bodies after a failed attempt at human transmutation. It takes place in a steampunk world where alchemy is real. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, adapted from the manga by Kanehito Yamada, follows the immortal elf Frieren and her companions as she continues her adventures after they have passed away. It is set in a more traditional Tolkien-esque fantasy world filled with magic and monsters.

Both shows feature well-developed fantasy worlds with intricate magic systems and lore. They balance action and adventure with poignant explorations of themes like morality, loss, and the meaning of life. Fullmetal Alchemist leans more heavily on plot-driven action and thrills, while Frieren takes a more slowly paced, atmospheric approach to its emotional weight. But critics praise both for their ability to deliver impactful drama alongside the fantastical trappings.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has built up years of acclaim as a modern anime classic since its 2009 debut, while Frieren is still a relative newcomer having only aired in 2021. But so far, critics put Frieren on par with Fullmetal for its resonance and quality, making its rise to #1 understandable. Fans of one show are likely to appreciate the other. But Frieren’s fresh take on the fantasy genre with a more melancholy elf protagonist gives it an original edge.

MAL Ratings Context

The MyAnimeList rankings hold a lot of weight and influence within the anime community. For many fans, MAL ratings are one of the top factors they look at when deciding which shows to watch. Having the #1 spot on MAL signifies that an anime is considered the best of the best by fans.

However, MAL ratings are an imperfect metric. They can be vulnerable to recency bias, with new and currently airing shows getting inflated scores. MAL rankings have also been subject to review bombing controversies when organized campaigns intentionally try to tank a show’s scores over controversies.

So while becoming the top ranked anime on MAL is a significant achievement, the ratings should be considered in their full context. Other metrics like sales, longevity, and cultural impact matter as well in evaluating an anime’s success.

Other Metrics for Success

While MyAnimeList ratings provide a snapshot of an anime’s popularity among fans, there are other metrics that can indicate an anime’s success and impact.

Sales figures for DVD/Blu-ray releases and merchandise are an important measure of financial success. According to an article on The Hollywood Reporter, the global anime industry was worth over $24 billion in 2021, demonstrating the immense commercial potential of popular franchises (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/japanese-anime-worlds-most-bankable-genre-1235146810/). Anime with high sales show there is a sustainable audience beyond ratings.

Longevity and continuing cultural impact are also signs of a classic, influential anime. Series like Dragon Ball Z or Sailor Moon may not have the highest ratings but have resonated across generations. While recency bias can boost new shows, standing the test of time indicates true significance.

Some anime have also had an indelible impact on the industry and artform itself. Neon Genesis Evangelion revolutionized mecha and psychological anime for example. Influential shows inspire countless new creators and series.

So while ratings provide a useful snapshot, sales, longevity, and impact reveal other facets of an anime’s success. A balanced view examines both ratings and these wider metrics.

Will Frieren Maintain the #1 Spot?

While Frieren’s meteoric rise to the top spot on MyAnimeList is certainly impressive, many believe it’s unlikely the show will maintain the #1 position in the long run. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has held the top spot for over a decade, and many consider it to be an undisputed anime classic.

Recency bias often plays a role in anime ratings, with the latest popular shows getting an initial boost that fades over time. There are already signs that Frieren’s score is stabilizing, while FMAB continues its steady reign.

Though Frieren’s current #1 spot is historic, FMAB has the advantage of being a completed series with a proven reputation. If Frieren sticks the landing with a strong ending, it could potentially maintain #1. But the safer bet is that FMAB will eventually overtake it again as the recency bias wears off.

Regardless of which show ends up on top, both Frieren and FMAB have cemented themselves as two of the most beloved and critically acclaimed anime of recent times. But FMAB’s sheer longevity and consistency suggests it will be difficult for any show, even one as brilliant as Frieren, to permanently dethrone it as #1 on MyAnimeList.

Frieren’s Achievement

Regardless of whether Frieren maintains the #1 spot on MyAnimeList or if Fullmetal Alchemist regains its long-held position, Frieren has achieved something remarkable. For any anime to surpass FMAB, which has dominated the #1 position for over a decade, is an incredible feat. As mentioned previously, FMAB has a reputation among the anime community as being untouchable at the top spot. The fact that Frieren managed to garner such an outpouring of support and acclaim to overtake it, even if only briefly, is a significant accomplishment.

This demonstrates that Frieren has resonated deeply with viewers and garnered widespread praise for its emotional storytelling, well-developed characters, and fantasy adventure premise. While recency bias may have played a role, the ratings still reflect the quality and impression the show has left on fans. Whether or not it remains at #1, Frieren will likely be remembered as one of the standout anime of recent years. Its ability to even temporarily dethrone a long-revered classic like FMAB is a testament to its excellence.

Conclusion

In the end, both Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood can be considered modern classics that are worthy of watching for any anime fan. While Frieren has achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing FMAB as the #1 rated anime on MyAnimeList, even if it falls back to #2, it takes nothing away from the quality and emotional impact of this fantastic dark fantasy series. Frieren offers a slower, more introspective look at an adventuring party after their journey is over, while FMAB delivers an action-packed adventure. They both showcase intricate world-building, complex characters, and emotional depth in different ways.

The MyAnimeList rankings provide a snapshot of current popularity and reviews, but they are vulnerable to recency bias and other flaws. No ranking can definitively crown one anime as the “best”. Both Frieren and FMAB will likely stand the test of time as beloved, critically-acclaimed shows. The exciting rise of Frieren has added a new contender to the pantheon of potential “greatest anime of all time”. Anime fans owe it to themselves to experience the magical journey of both series.